f ^ ■ 

^Things 

Siamese 


i^itsanuloke  Field 


The  most  northern  station  of  the  South  Siam 
^Mission  is  Pitsanuloke,  located  on  the  Nan 
River,  lialf  way  by  rail  between  Bangkok  and 
Chieng  j\Iai. 

Pitsanuloke  station  field  includes  five  monthons 
(provinces),  with  a population  of  1,238,393. 

According  to  the  most  conservative  estimate, 
in  order  to  evangelize  the  world  in  this  genera- 
tion there  should  he  one  missionary  to  each 
25,000  persons  to  be  evangelized.  Therefore 
Pitsanuloke  field  needs  49  missionaries.  At 
present,  there  are  two  ordained  men  and  one 
doctor. 

The  two  medical  assistants  and  the  two  teach- 
ers in  the  hoys’  school  are  earnest  Christians 
and  good  workers,  but  their  evangelistic  efforts 
must  necessarily  be  confined  to  the  city  of  Pits- 
anuloke. There  should  be  two  ordained  men, 
with  headquarters  at  the  city  of  Pitsanuloke,  to 
give  their  time  to  touring  and  one  man  to  look 
after  the  local  work.  The  doctor  has  his  hands 
full  looking  after  the  hospital  and  two  dispen- 
saries. 

A part  of  this  year  two  of  the  families  were 
absent  on  furlough. 

In  this  emergency  a missionary  was  taken 
from  another  station  to  assist  in  the  work,  but 
he  goes  on  furlough  soon,  so  that  the  force  is 
not  really  increased. 

The  physician  returned  in  September  and  the 
ordained  man  is  now  on  his  way  to  the  field. 

In  December  a trip  was  made  up  the  Sawan- 
kaloke  River,  going  from  Pitsanuloke  to  Sawan- 
kaloke  by  rail  and  hiring  a boat  at  the  latter 
place  to  continue  the  journey.  Work  was  done 
both  below  and  above  Sawankaloke.  There  is 
one  Christian  woman  here,  a converted  hospital 
patient,  who  gladly  opened  her  house  for  ser- 
vices. On  this  trip  more  than  eight  hundred  vol- 
umes of  Christian  literature  were  sold.  Six  even- 
ings were  spent  in  showing  and  explaining  Bible 

3 


pictures.  The  acetylene  lantern  given  by  the 
Juniors  of  Waterford,  N.  Y.,  worked  finely  and 
was  a great  help. 

In  January  and  February  a tour  was  made  up 
the  Chow  Phya  River  to  Raheng  and  beyond. 
Raheng  is  almost  due  west  of  Pitsanuloke,  but  in 
order  to  reach  it,  it  is  necessary  to  go  down  the 
Nan  River  to  Pakmampo  and  then  up  the  Chow 
Phya  against  a strong  current.  Raheng  is 
girdled  by  hills  and  the  wide  river  spreads  out 
like  a lake  over  the  soft  sands.  I 

The  principal  part  of  the  town  is  on  the  east  I 
bank.  There  is  a large  farming  community  on 
the  west  hank,  hut  no  market.  There  is  talk  of  j 
extending  the  railroad  from  Sawankaloke  to  Ra- 
heng. This  will  probably  be  done  in  the  next 
ten  years  and  will  be  a paying  line.  It  is  an 
important  caravan  route  now,  and  Raheng  is  in 
direct  line  east  and  west,  and  is  the  largest  place 
between  Chieng  Mai  and  .Yyuthia. 

Paknampo  is  also  in  the  Pitsanuloke  field.  Its 
situation  at  the  confluence  of  the  Chow  Phya 
and  Nan  rivers  makes  it  an  important  place. 
There  is  a large  floating  population,  since  all  the 
river  traffic  must  pass  through  it  and  workers 
here  could  reach  hundreds  of  people  who  live 
on  the  canals  opening  out  of  it.  Copies  of 
Scripture  distributed  at  this  point  would  reach 
villages  and  farms  where  there  is  no  hope,  with 
the  present  force,  of  the  missionary  going. 

There  are  several  Chinese  and  Siamese  Chris- 
tians living  in  Paknampo  who  should  have  help 
and  encouragement  in  living  a Christian  life. 

There  are  great  possibilities  throughout  this 
entire  Pitsanuloke  field,  but  the  force  of  workers 
is  so  pitifully  small  opportunities  to  push  the 
work  must  be  allowed  to  pass. 

Where  are  the  workers  who  ought  to  be  in 
this  part  of  the  vineyard  at  work?  Are  they 
standing  waiting  because  the  company  or  in- 
dividual appointed  to  send  them  are  so  busy 
with  other  things  that  they  pay  no  attention  to 
these  waiting  ones? 

The  night  cometh  when  no  man  can  work. 

Let  not  the  evening  shadows  find  our  work  in 
Siam  still  undone. 

{Mrs  A.  W.)  Eleanor  Cooper. 

4 


PROCESSION  CARRYING  ICING’S  PICTURE  TO  THE  CEREMONY  OF  DRINKING  WATER  OF 
ALLEGIANCE  ON  KING'S  BIRTHDAY-CHIENG  RAI 


Festivities  at 
Nakon  Sri  Tamarat 


The  hirtlidays  of  His  Majesty  the  King,  Jan- 
uary 1,  1914,  and  Her  Majesty  the  Queen  Alother 
were  celebrated  right  loyally  in  this  distant  cor- 
ner of  the  kingdom.  Illuminations  and  sports, 
theatricals  and  banquets  made  the  occasion  a 
week  full  of  red-letter  days.  The  schools  were 
represented,  one  afternoon,  in  the  sports,  and 
prizes  were  distributed.  Bull  fights  every  day 
did  not  seem  to  pall,  and  some  were  stoutly  con- 
tested. Racing  events  were  arranged,  though 
the  number  of  entries  was  not  large.  In  one 
race  a pony  distinguished  itself  and  caused  much 
amusement  by  leaving  the  course  at  the  first 
bend,  making  straight  across  the  field,  and 
plunging  into  a creek  by  the  city  wall,  while  its 
rival  traveled  leisurely  about  the  circle. 

A banquet  was  given  in  honor  of  His  Majesty 
on  his  birthday,  at  the  local  Government  build- 
ing, to  which  the  more  prominent  officials  and 
the  foreign  gentlemen  were  invited. 

The  Queen’s  feast.  January  5th,  at  the  Royal 
rest-house  adjoining  the  Governor’s  residence, 
was  to  have  been  held  on  the  lawn,  had  not  a 
shower,  just  at  dusk,  driven  the  party  indoors. 
At  this  dinner  the  wives  of  many  officials  were 
present,  and  the  catering  was  Siamese,  on  the 
popular  plan  of  one  especial  delicacy  from  each 
family. 

Christmas  day  was  also  the  occasion  for  a 
joyous  celebration,  to  which  the  children  of  the 
Christian  community  and  the  Mission  schools 
looked  forward  quite  as  long  and  eagerly  as  those 
across  the  sea. 

A statel)-  and  symmetrical  tree  graced  the  new 
church,  touching  the  ceiling  and  bending  almost 
to  the  floor  under  its  many-colored  load  of 
fruits.  A large  proportion  of  these  were  gifts 
from  one  child  to  another,  and  the  giving  seemed 
quite  as  joyous  as  the  receiving. 

A program  of  appropriate  songs  and  recita- 
tions was  given,  closing  by  a short  address  by 
the  pastor,  the  Rev.  Chas.  Eckels,  impressing  on 

6 


the  hearers  what  should  be  the  true  significance 
of  the  anniversary. 

The  first  church  wedding  in  town  proved  to  be 
an  occasion  of  more  than  ordinary  novelty  and 
interest.  The  bride  is  the  eldest  daughter  of 
Towkay  Soon  Nguan,  and  the  fortunate  suitor 
is  the  first  assistant  in  the  American  School. 

The  time  set  was  January  2nd,  and  a large 
number  of  invitations  were  issued  to  relatives 
and  friends  of  the  parties.  The  groom  was 
escorted  by  his  elder  brother  and  the  bride  fol- 
lowed with  her  father,  who  gave  her  away  in 
foreign  fashion. 

Appropriate  music  was  rendered  by  the  or- 
ganist. Miss  Moeller.  The  ceremony  was  a 
Siamese  translation  of  usual  church  form.  The 
happy  pair  received  the  congratulations  of  their 
friends  at  the  home  of  Air.  and  Airs.  Eckels,  and 
at  high  noon  sat  down  to  an  elaborate  wedding 
breakfast  (with  about  twenty  guests),  while  a 
much  larger  number  were  entertained  elsewhere 
in  Siamese  and  Chinese  fashion.  Air.  Eckels 
and  Dr.  Wachter  returned  on  January  20th  from 
a visit  to  their  flock  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
province.  They  started  again  on  the  27th,  by 
elephants,  to  cross  the  mountains,  strike  the 
Bandon  River,  following  it  to  the  coast,  and 
returning  by  Samuie  and  Pangau  Islands. 

Before  leaving  town  on  this  last  trip  Dr. 
Wachter  turned  over  the  management  of  the 
Alemorial  Hospital,  permanently,  to  his  new 
associate.  Dr.  Van  Aletre,  who  has  been  busy 
since  his  arrival  in  November  at  the  usual  task 
of  a new-comer,  studying  the  language,  the  peo- 
ple. and  the  workings  of  the  institution  to  which 
he  was  appointed. 

— (Miss)  L.  J.  Cooper. 


An  Important  Mission 
By-product 

We  have  just  begun,  in  a small  way,  an  im- 
portant work  for  the  Mission  and  for  Siam. 
The  contract  has  been  made  for  three  small 


7 


buildings  on  our  new  compound  here  at  Petcha- 
buri,  to  lie  used  for  the  training  of  teachers  of 
country  ^•illage  schools. 

In  connection  with  this  Station,  there  are  now 
more  than  900  persons  enrolled  as  professed 
believers  in  Christ,  living  in  sixty  country  towns 
and  villages.  These  people  are  beginning  to 
want  to  have  their  children  taught  to  read  and 
write ; hut  teachers  are  not  to  he  found.  Yet 
they  are  jealously  suspicious  of  the  Mission 
school,  because  they  have  known  of  hoys  who 
have  attended  this  school  and  after  receiving 
their  education  did  not  return  to  the  life  on  the 
farm.  The  parents  are  afraid  of  losing  their 
hojs,  if  they  let  them  leave  home  to  attend 
school. 

Here  is  an  illustration  of  this  feeling.  When 
I sent  men  up  to  Sarahet  to  prepare  lumber 
for  the  new  rest  house,  the  people  hindered  their 
work.  The  men  told  them  that  we  would  start 
a school  for  their  children  ; that  the  King  favored 
these  schools  and  approved  of  starting  them  in 
the  country.  They  replied.  “If  the  King  gives 
orders  to  start  a foreign  school  here,  we  will  all 
move  away.”  Now  the  rest-house  has  been  built 
and  one  of  their  boys  is  here  in  school  preparing 
to  be  a teacher  in  that  village.  All  opposition 
has  been  overcome  by  the  exercise  of  patience 
and  tact. 

Recently  I consulted  Prince  Damrong,  the 
Minister  of  the  Interior,  with  regard  to  this 
work  of  training  country  teachers,  proposing  to 
ask  His  Majesty,  the  King,  and  the  Princes  to 
support  the  enterprise  financially.  The  Prince 
replied  that  it  would  be  premature  to  do  that 
at  present,  because  His  Majesty  and  the  Min- 
ister of  Education  are  planning  out  a course  of 
study  suited  to  village  schools.  To  present  this 
plan  now  would  be  to  anticipate  their  decision. 
But  he  said : “Do  not  think  that  I am  opposing 

you.  Go  on  and  make  a demonstration  in  a 
small  way,  showing  the  kind  of  training  you 
propose  to  give,  and  the  Government  can  take 
up  the  work  afterward.” 

Following  this  suggestion.  I gathered  up  enough 
8 


money  from  friends  of  the  work  outside  the 
Mission  to  erect  the  first  three  buildings,  which 
are  now  under  way.  and  we  have  several  boys 
already  in  training  to  be  teachers. 

The  problem  before  the  Government  and  the 
Mission  is  complicated  by  this  fact.  If  they 
train  their  teachers  in  the  town  schools  to  teach 
the  course  of  study  taught  there,  the  effect  will 
be  to  draw  the  country  boys  into  the  towns. 
Already  the  country  districts  are  under-populated, 
and  anything  that  would  increase  the  usual  drift 
from  the  country  to  the  towns  is  much  to  be 
deprecated.  The  solution  of  the  problem  may  be 
stated  in  very  simple  form.  Give  the  country 
boys  such  an  education  as  would  be  of  great 
benefit  to  them  in  their  countrj-  homes,  but  of 
little  use  to  them  in  the  town.  Then  they  will 
be  content  to  stay  on  the  farms. 

The  influence  of  our  tours  is  seen  in  increased 
confidence  in  the  good  will  of  the  missionaries 
on  the  part  of  the  country  people,  as  well  as  the 
quickening  of  the  desire  of  parents  to  have 
their  children  taught.  We  seem  to  have  found 
the  opportunity  to  extend  greatly  our  school 
work  with  but  little  cost  to  the  Mission. 

In  order  to  provide  support  for  these  boys  in 
training  to  become  teachers,  an  appeal  was  made 
to  the  old  students  of  the  Bangkok  Christian 
High  School  to  show  their  gratitude  for  past 
benefits  by  contributing  to  this  object.  Their 
response  has  been  so  hearty  and  generous  that 
we  are  sure  of  ample  funds  to  meet  this  need. 
So  that  the  new  Normal  Training  work  is  self- 
supporting  from  the  outset. 

We  have  reached  the  point  in  our  touring 
where  these  Christian  schools  in  the  villages  are 
necessary  to  success.  The  establishment  of  such 
a school  means  a Sunday  School  and  later  on  a 
Christian  church.  Humanly  speaking,  much  de- 
pends on  the  character  of  the  teacher  in  charge. 
W'e  greatl}'  desire  the  prayers  of  our  friends  in 
the  home  land  for  these  young  men  who  are 
soon  to  occupy  the  responsible  position  of  Chris- 
tian teacher  in  the  isolation  of  country-  life  and 
exposed  to  the  temptations  and  petty  persecu- 
tions of  old  friends  and  neighbors. 

— J.  A.  Eakiii. 


9 


ONE  OF  THE  "WTI.D  TIGER  CORPS"  OF  SIAM 


Address  given  during  the  birthday 
festivities,  January, 1914, by  His  Maj- 
esty, the  King  of  Siam,  to  the  “Wild 
Tiger  Scouts  and  Boy  Scouts.” 

Note  — In  the  May.  1912,  number  of  the  “Assembly  Herald"  we  pub- 
lished an  account  of  the  organization  by  the  King  of  Siam  of  the 
“Royal  Tigers.”  This  is  the  organization  of  the  youth  of  Siam  into 
companies  for  daily  drill  and  discipline,  to  be  at  the  service  of  the 
Government.  The  following  address  of  the  King  speaks  for  itself. 
— Editor. 

His  Majesty’s  Address 
(Translation.) 

Wild  Tiger  Scouts  and  Boy  Scouts : 

I desire  to  thank  you  all  for  your  rally  to-day 
to  do  honor  to  me  as  your  Scout  Chief.  Your 
readiness  in  coming  together  on  this  occasion 
affords  a strong  proof  that  every  one  is  inspired 
hy  a feeling  of  unanimitj-.  The  objects  which  I 
have  in  mind  and  which  you  all  aim  at  in  join- 
ing the  Honorable  Corps  of  Wild  Tigers  and 
Boy  Scouts  are  already  indicated  in  your  Scout 
Oath  and  the  Boy  Scouts’  Promise  with  which 
you  are  all  acquainted.  Having  become  Scouts 
3'ou  must  prove  yourselves  so  in  fact  and  not 
treat  it  as  mere  play  or  as  mere  fanc>'  dressing. 
You  should  make  up  j'our  mind  that  the  spirit 
of  unanimitj'  which  can  call  you  together  on  a 
ceremonial  occasion,  as  the  present,  shall  also 
prevail  when  necessitj-  arises  for  ever>'  one  of 
you  to  do  your  duty,  which  you  are  resolved  to 
do  in  defence  of  our  nation  and  our  Fatherland, 
or  for  the  preservation  of  order  and  tranquillity 
within  our  own  country.  By  continuing  to  be  a 
Wild  Tiger  Scout,  it  must  be  understood  that 
one  is  still  willing  to  act  up  to  what  has  already 
been  mentioned  in  the  beginning ; nameljq  ready 
to  give  up  personal  comfort,  flesh  and  blood  and 
even  life  itself  in  maintaining  the  peace  and 
security  of  the  countrj',  which  is  the  same  as 
guarding  our  own  homes;  for  if  there  is  no 
peace  and  security  in  our  country  there  can  be 

11 


no  safety  for  our  own  homes,  whatever  we  may 
do.  Accordingly  we  should  consider  the  defence 
of  the  State  a greater  object  than  that  of  the 
Home,  or,  in  other  words,  we  should  devote 
ourselves  to  the  interests  of  the  Siamese  nation 
more  than  to  our  own  personal  interests  or  those 
of  individuals.  Wild  Tiger  Scouts  who  are 
officials  of  the  Government  in  charge  of  various 
duties  should  understand  that  they  are  not  Wild 
Tiger  Scouts  only  while  wearing  the  uniform, 
hut  are  such  at  all  times.  Having  joined  the 
Wild  Tiger  Scouts,  they  should  think  and  act  as 
such,  no  matter  what  garh  they  may  wear ; and 
if  they  are  true  Wild  Tiger  Scouts,  they  must 
model  their  conduct  in  the  way  I have  just 
mentioned,  namely,  subordinate  personal  interests 
to  that  of  the  nation ; this  is  an  important  point 
that  must  never  be  lost  sight  of. 

Every  one  who  is  devoted  to  the  welfare  of 
the  nation,  the  community,  and  the  country  in 
which  we  live  and  have  our  well  being  should 
suppress  all  undue  personal  ambitions  and  con- 
centrate his  efforts  on  the  duties  belonging  to 
his  position,  no  matter  whether  superior  or  in- 
ferior. For  example,  if  you  are  ordered  to 
sweep  a doorway,  a staircase  or  a road,  you 
should  do  that  work  in  the  best  possible  man- 
ner, and  not  condole  with  yourself  for  having 
to  do  such  lowly  work  while  some  other  person 
is  given  a higher  task  to  perform,  and  so  neglect 
your  proper  work  by  being  filled  with  feelings 
of  envy.  If  such  feelings  prevail,  disaster  will 
he  certain  to  ensue  wdien  any  grave  emergency 
arises,  because  every  one’s  proper  duty  will  have 
been  neglected  for  egotistical  reasons.  In  fact, 
if  every  person  devotes  his  attention  only 
to  gain  personal  rew'ard  and  advantage,  the  in- 
terest of  the  community  is  sure  to  suffer.  If 
we  are  true  Wild  Tiger  Scouts  and  true  Sia- 
mese, we  must  understand  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
carry  out  our  work,  no  matter  what  it  is,  to 
the  best  of  our  ability.  It  is  not  for  us  to  judge 
what  we  are  able  to  do;  that  is  a matter  for 
others  who  observe  our  actions.  If  we  do  w'ell 
they  will  see  and  commend  ; but  if  we  do  badly 
we  cannot  expect  other  people  to  praise  us,  no 
matter  how  high  a value  we  may  place  upon 
ourselves.  Bear  this  point  well  in  mind,  every 

12 


one  of  you  Wild  Tiger  Scouts  and  Boy  Scouts, 
both  those  who  are  Government  officials  and 
those  of  other  occupations.  Whatever  you  have 
to  do,  do  it  faithfully  and  honestly  to  the  best 
of  your  power  and  ability,  for  by  so  doing  you 
prove  yourselves  true  Siamese,  worthy  of  your 
manhood.  It  is  only  by  having  endeavored  to 
perform  your  duties  to  the  best  of  your  ability, 
and  having  the  consciousness  of  having  done 
so,  that  you  are  entitled  to  call  yourself  a real 
patriot.  Do  not  boast  of  patriotism  by  empty 
words ; you  cannot  be  a patriot  through  your 
mouth  any  more  than  go  to  heaven  by  the  same 
means.  Nobody  respects  a person  who  is  only  a 
good  talker ; deeds  only  are  worthy  of  true 
respect,  not  mere  boastful  words. 

-4s  the  majority  of  you  Wild  Tiger  Scouts  are 
present  here,  I take  this  opportunity  to  assure 
you  that  the  interests  of  the  Honorable  Corps 
of  Wild  Tigers  always  occupy  my  thoughts.  I 
never  consider  myself  really  different  from  any 
one  of  you ; like  yourselves,  I am  a Siamese  and 
a Wild  Tiger  Scout.  As  holder  of  the  highest 
position  among  the  Wild  Tiger  Scouts  and  as 
Sovereign  of  the  country,  I also  pledge  myself 
to  act  up  to  what  I have  just  said,  namely,  to 
discharge  to  the  best  of  my  ability  the  duties 
which  are  confided  to  me,  and  without  any  de- 
sire to  gratify  exalted  personal  ambitions.  I 
say  this  to  you  in  all  frankness.  And  to  show 
that  I have  not  allowed  the  welfare  of  the  Wild 
Tiger  Scouts  to  escape  my  thoughts,  I have 
appointed  a day  during  the  celebration  of  the 
Anniversary  of  my  Birthday  on  which  I could 
meet  you  all  and  present  the  Colors  to  the  various 
Corps  here  assembled.  In  every  good  action 
which  we  aspire  to  achieve,  it  is  necessary  to 
have  an  emblem  to  look  up  to  for  inspiration, 
so  that  every  one  may  be  always  reminded  of  the 
good  work  which  he  has  to  perform.  Let,  there- 
fore, this  Standard  he  a reminder  to  all  Wild 
Tiger  Scouts  to  remember  the  words  of  advice 
which  I have  spoken,  and  let  it  be  a constant 
reminder  to  anyone  who  finds  himself  failing  in 
any  respect,  to  mend  his  conduct  and  prove 
himself  worthy  of  being  a Wild  Tiger  Scout,  a 
worthy  guardian  of  this  precious  Standard  and 

13 


follow  it  to  victory  when  necessity  arises  to 
face  our  country’s  foe. 

In  conclusion,  I desire  to  declare  to  all  you 
Wild  Tiger  Scouts  that  I shall  endeavor  to  fulfill 
in  every  respect  the  promises  which  I made  be- 
fore you  when  this  Honorable  Corps  was  first 
inaugurated.  I shall  do  my  best  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  the  people  of  the  Kingdom  of  Siam; 
to  protect  and  maintain  the  Nation,  the  State 
and  our  Holy  Religion,  so  that  they  shall  endure 
forever,  and  I shall  never  shrink  from  facing 
danger  in  case  of  war.  I shall  support  the  Hon- 
orable Corps  of  Wild  Tigers  so  that  its  stability 
shall  be  assured  and  the  institution  continue  to 
flourish  as  was  intended  from  the  beginning.  I 
ask  all  of  you  who  are  assembled  here  to  re- 
member your  Scout  Oath  and  your  Oath  of 
Allegiance. 

I now  invite  all  you  Wild  Tiger  Scouts,  for 
our  common  happiness  and  prosperity,  to  salute 
the  Standard  of  the  Honorable  Corps  of  Wild 
Tigers,  which  is  our  emblem  of  auspiciousness 
and  an  inspiration  to  us  all. 

Three  cheers  for  the  Honorable  Corps  of 
Wild  Tigers! 


14 


A STREET  IN  CHIENG  RAI 


Reported  April  1,  1914 


SIAM 

LAOS 

American  Missionaries 

46 

55 

Native  Force 

73 

92 

Churches 

13 

26 

Communicants 

662 

6,299 

In  attendance  on  Sunday-school 

667 

6,269 

Schools 

9 

42 

Pupils  in  School 

486 

1,568 

Hospitals  and  Dispensaries 

11 

14 

Patients  treated 

8,455 

21,877 

Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 

156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York 
Form  No.  2147  May.  1914 


A. E. Dittrich. Ltd., 209  \V.S8th  St..X.Y. 


